Social impact assessment of construction of hill road (Ghatiabagarh-Lipulekh road of 76 km) on green field alignment in Dharchula, India

¹ Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, BITS, Pilani - 333031 - India
² Professor, HOD, Department of Civil Engineering, BITS, Pilani - 333031 - India
³ Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, BITS, Pilani - 333031 - India
⁴ Professor, Dean Admissions, Department of Civil Engineering, BITS, Pilani - 333031 - India

^* Corresponding author: virenphogat@gmail.com

Abstract

This paper aims to carry out the social impact assessment (SIA) due to the construction of 76 Km hill road at Dharchula district of Uttarakhand, India. Development of the hinterland hinges on the efficient road network. All-round development, safe travel, reduced vehicle operating cost, reduced fuel consumption, a faster journey are immediate benefits. The road will enhance comprehensive national connectivity. It has given connectivity to more than fifty villages and settlements. The road has increased the women’s participation in society, as per NSF method 23.9%, Battelle method 60% and Checklist method 40% respectively. . Local population’s access to science and technology has increased by 16 % as per NSF method and Battelle method whereas 40% as per Checklist method . Health related impact is 48.5% as per NSF method, 72% as Battelle method and 60 % as per Checklist method. The study analysed NSF method holistically defines outcome for each social impact parameter while the Checklist method was found to be subjective. Battelle method too has an inherent advantage of comparing social impact situation with and without project. The study substantiated the outcome of Battelle method and Checklist method have almost similar results, assessment scores being 15.8 and 16.05 respectively.